Casio has issued a firmware update for its Exilim EX-100 and EX-10 digital compact cameras. Version 1.01 (for both models) improves the results of the exposure bracketing function. You can download the firmware upgrade from the websites below.

Website: Casio EX-10 Firmware Version 1.01

Website: Casio EX-100 Firmware Version 1.01

Nikon has released a firmware update for its Coolpix L820 superzoom camera. Version 1.1 fixes a bug that resulted in deviation in the timing of movie video and sound. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon COOLPIX L820 Firmware Update 1.1

Lynx has teamed up with award-winning photographer Matthew Lloyd to launch an Instagram-based photo contest entitled 'Make Moments Not War.' As part of Lynx's Make Love Not War campaign, the Make Moments Not War project encourages budding photographers and Instagram users to take their own images of peace using the hashtag #LynxPeace and tagging @lynxeffectuk. "Whatever Peace means to you, get out there and capture it. If your shot makes our #lynxpeace gallery, you'll be in with a chance of winning an iPhone 5S," the organisers say. The winning images will  be displayed alongside Matthew Lloyd’s collection of peace photography at an exhibition in London later this summer.

Website: LynxPeace

Want to see exactly what the new Leica T compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our massive hands-on gallery of photos of the new Leica T compact system camera, including the 18-56mm and 23mm lenses.

The Leica T is a new mirrorless compact system camera. The Leica T–System combines pure design, handcrafted excellence, with an entirely new operating system. The Leica T features a large, APS-C-format, CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP). At the heart of the concept of the Leica T is the clear design of the touchscreen display. The Leica T is also the first system camera from Leica to feature an integrated Wi-Fi module.

Two lenses will initially be available for the market launch of the Leica T-System - the Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18–56 mm f/3.5–5.6 ASPH. and the Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH. The Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11–23 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. wide-angle zoom and the Vario-Elmar-T 55–135 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. telephoto zoom are scheduled to appear in time for presentation at Photokina 2014 in September.

The Leica T is available May 26th, 2014, priced as follows:

Leica T-System £1350.00 RRP
Leica Vario Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASP £1250.00 RRP
Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH £1350.00 RRP

The Thule Perspektiv Collection has been awarded the title Best Photo Bag by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). “We are particularly pleased with TIPAs recognition of the Thule Perspektiv Camera Bag collection as this award acknowledges our entrance with the Thule brand to the professional photo and imaging industry,” says Magnus Welander, CEO and President of the Thule Group. “The award is one of the most coveted in this realm, and this reinforces our underlying focus on quality, easy usage, safe protections and design when we developed the bags, and our long-term plans to become a leading brand in the camera bag segment.”

Seim Studios have just released their new photo workshop series focused on the history and art of photography. The miniseries follows in the footsteps of the acclaimed EXposed series produced in 2012. PhotoGraphics uses a historical perspective to guide viewers through many of the artistic and mechanical decisions that are needed to separate good pictures from great photographs, despite the challenges presented by variables like light, weather, color and composition. At approximately 3.5 hours, the series is now available at discounted pricing through 30 April 2014 as an immediate download for $59 and as a Blu-Ray / DVD combo for $79.

Tiffen has announced two new additions to the Lowel family of LED lights. The new Lowel Prime Location LED features an 1x1 panel, a very rugged housing and a high IP-65 rating, which means Prime Location LEDs can be used in rain, sand or dust storms. The lights are available in hi-CRI Daylight, Tungsten or Bi-Color models, and are dimmable without colour shifts. The Lowel PRO Power LED is a compact, focusing light available in hi-CRI Tungsten or Daylight colour with impressive output and a wide fresnel 8:1 focus range. Where other LEDs are lower power and therefore need to be used closer to the subject, the PRO Power LED can light from a greater distance, allowing the shooter to get more of the location into the wide shot.

Panasonic has received two awards from the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). The Lumix GH4 compact system camera (pictured) has been awarded ‘Best Hybrid Photo/Video Camera’ and the Panasonic TZ60 (also known as the ZS40) ranked first as 2014's ‘Best Superzoom Camera.’ 

Today at Visual Connections Chicago, PressFoto announced ImageRent, a new service that makes more than three million stock photos available for commercial, editorial or personal use online at a minimal cost. Rather than purchasing the images outright, customers pay a “rental fee” for the rights to use the image. The fee is $.01 per thousand views. Images may also be used on social media sites free of charge. “There are plenty of people around the globe creating online content who aren’t willing or able to spend the money required to purchase stock but don’t see theft as an acceptable alternative,” said Dmitry Shironosov, CEO of PressFoto. “ImageRent is the perfect solution. It provides legitimate and cost-effective access to a massive library of great images at an exceptionally reasonable cost.”

AKVIS MultiBrush has been updated to Version 8.0. This release adds the options Color Sampling and Tolerance to the Eraser tool; a new Grain parameter to the Artistic Pencil; a Blend Mode to the settings of the Color Pencil, Clone Stamp and Color Brush tools; and support for a number of additional raw image formats. Registered users of the software can upgrade to the new version for free.

Calumet UK is hosting a series of open days this spring which will be taking place at its stores nationwide. There will be six open days in total, each giving visitors the chance to win a Canon EOS 700D 18-55mm kit as well as offering free sensor cleaning, product demonstrations, seminars, expert advice from the top brands as well as promotions throughout the store. Click through / scroll down for the details.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 has been voted 2014's best compact system camera (CSC) in the entry-level category by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). As the) jury noted, “The nicely designed and extremely compact and metal-bodied OM-D E-M10 convinces with great image quality and operation thanks to the TruePic VII processor (inherited from the E-M1), a 16-Megapixel Live MOS sensor, built-in WiFi with QR code scanning technology, a large, 1.4-million RGB dot electronic viewfinder and a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD with high 1,039,000-dot resolution. The camera incorporates 3-axis image stabilisation and FAST AF, making this the fastest ever Olympus AF system with 81 target areas covering the entire image. With 8 fps shooting speed, burst rates can deliver up to 16 RAW images and an unlimited number of JPEGs. With continuous AF, the camera delivers up to 3.5 fps.”

Samsung is calling for ideas on where to send its user-controlled camera-bot, the NX Rover, next. Inspired by Mars exploration rovers, the space-like NX Rover has so far travelled over 10,000 miles and taken over 3,000 pictures, all with ordinary people behind the lens, controlling it online. Up to now, people have had the chance to control the photos the robot takes - now they also have the chance to choose where it goes using hashtag #NXRover. To see where the NX Rover camera bot has travelled so far, check out the movie below.

Nikon has announced the addition of four new photographers to the Ambassador Programme, a collective initiative dedicated to recognising the most influential leaders in modern photography. The new additions include Blair Bunting, Bambi Cantrell, Tamara Lackey and Doug Gordon. “These four photographers are an exciting addition to the program and bring with them a collective energy as well as a diverse range of talents and shooting styles,” said Mike Corrado, NPS manager, pro relations and product marketing, Nikon. “They embody the essence of the Ambassador Programme, which is to act as inspirational leaders and educators to other professional photographers, and those looking to further their craft.”